The expeditionary force began to dominate Southeast Asia by recruiting defeated soldiers

By the time they gathered at noon the next day, more than 600 defeated soldiers had gathered in this temporary camp.

These defeated soldiers, who were as thin as skin and bones, finally regained some strength after eating two meals of biscuit porridge in the morning and evening.

Zhang Chi distributed the Japanese weapons captured in the previous battle. Although there were only less than 100 Type 99 rifles and several light and heavy machine guns, these defeated soldiers no longer looked like zombies after having weapons.

Looking at the defeated soldiers in front of him, Zhang Chi felt both proud and sad.

"It was the rainy season, and mountain torrents broke out. The troops had been without food for eight days. Officers and soldiers suffered from hunger and disease, and many died." These few words in the history book were the ending of these flesh-and-blood men in front of him.

Fortunately, he had arrived. His time travel had changed the fates of Xiao Dongbei, Hao Yi, Qi Quan, Bai Minghui, and over 300 men in the independent battalion. Today, he had saved over 600 defeated soldiers from certain death. At this moment, Zhang Chi believed that he could change the fates of even more people in the future.

"Hold the gun and follow me." Zhang Chi didn't say much.

Should he turn back and explore Gaoligong Mountain, shrouded in miasma and primeval forests? Or should he follow Major Zhang, who had personally distributed a handful of biscuits and porridge to him, treated his illness with medicine, and even distributed a rifle, and fight his way back to Pegu?

Everyone made their choice quickly.

"Who says I have no clothes? I share your robes. I sharpen my spears and halberds, for I share your hatred."

Accompanied by lines of Qinqiang, a team of nearly 1000 people set out on their journey back to Xinwangping Village.

"Who says I have no clothes? I will share the same clothes with you. I will sharpen my spear and halberd, and work with you..."

------

"Have you heard? The expeditionary army officer is going to try the prisoners in the open space at the village entrance. Go and see."

"Let's go together. Let's go together. They say everyone who goes, regardless of whether they are adults or children, men or women, will be given a can of meat."

"Are we going to interrogate those damned plague-ridden soldiers who stole our food? Are we going to execute them?"

Xinwangping Village was in a mess. This large village with nearly 200 households was now crowded with people, all rushing to the open space at the entrance of the village.

After Zhang Chi rushed back to the village, he immediately ordered people to build a wooden platform to facilitate his public trial of the criminals.

He had already achieved the "favor" of the combination of kindness and power through food and medicine, and the next step was the "power" part.

Zhang Chi stood on the stage, feeling the breeze on his face. He saw the villagers gathered in front of the temporary public trial platform, with different expressions on their faces and whispering to each other. He knew that the villagers still did not believe that he would really make the decision for them.

"Bring up He Weimin and other prisoners." Zhang Chi shouted, attracting the attention of the villagers.

He Weimin and several defeated soldiers who were accused of raping women were tied up and forced to kneel on the stage. They were pale, their hands were shaking, and they were extremely scared.

"Is this high-ranking official serious about this?" The villagers could not recognize the rank of the military badge on Zhang Chi's uniform. They only saw him wearing a big hat and standing majestically on the stage, so they thought he was a high-ranking official.

"Looking at the posture, he is at least a general. Who knows if he is just pretending and will be done with a few beatings?" said a villager disdainfully.

"Since ancient times, bandits have been like combs, and soldiers have been like rakes. Apart from Grandpa Yue, how many people care about the lives of us ordinary people? You just wait and see. In a while, these tied-up people will cry bitterly and kowtow. Then the high-ranking official will say a few good words, and the matter will be over." An old man with a goatee touched his beard after saying this, looking knowledgeable.

"Yes, yes. Old Liu is right. We immigrants are all outsiders in the eyes of the Qian Kingdom. Can we really ask them to pay for our lives? Alas, I just feel sorry for Xier."

Although the villagers had gathered, most of them still looked confused and uneasy. They spoke in low voices, seemingly unconvinced that this strange officer would really seek justice for them.

"He Weimin! You are the battalion commander, responsible for defending our country. But you actually allowed your men to rob villagers and even defile decent women. Do you know your crime?" Zhang Chi's voice rolled over the village like thunder, and every word struck people's hearts.

He Weimin kowtowed quickly, his face full of grievance, and he cried out, "Commander Zhang, I'm innocent. Our army has been out of food for several days, and these soldiers were just starving and took something to eat. As for those women... Commander, the soldiers were mentally unstable after the battle, and they made an impulsive mistake. It's understandable."

"Please have mercy on us. We are all fighting the Japanese for our country. You must not punish us for such a small matter." He Weimin really didn't think that what he did was a big deal. They were just a group of overseas immigrants who were not even considered Qian people. In his eyes, they were people who he should have whatever he wanted.

Several fleeing soldiers behind him also knelt and kowtowed, crying and begging for mercy: "Major, please have mercy on us, we didn't mean it, we are all heroes who killed the devils together, please just treat us like a fart."

"Look, you're begging for mercy. Later you should pick it up high and put it down gently." Old Liu squinted his eyes and said sarcastically.

When the villagers heard these wailings, many of them still had doubts and fears in their eyes.

At this moment, they were not sure whether Major Zhang in front of them would really uphold justice for them.

Zhang Chi looked coldly at He Weimin and the others, his gaze unwavering. He was worried about how to establish his authority and subdue the nearly one thousand fleeing soldiers of the 96th Division. He Weimin had just happened to fall into his hands, and today he would kill him.

He suddenly shouted, "How dare you cry out for justice? Fighting to the death on the battlefield is a soldier's duty. As a commander, you, He Weimin, led the troops in looting. Isn't this an insult to the flag of the motherland? You, relying on your guns, rob the villagers of their food and rape the village women. Do you think you are a hero?"

Zhang Chi shouted righteously, "Today, no matter what your reputation is, if you do something wrong, you must pay the price!"

His voice cut through the excuses and cries like a sharp blade, instantly plunging the entire audience into silence.

The defeated soldiers in the audience who had also participated in looting food but had not insulted women were also shocked and felt ashamed when they heard this.

The villagers' eyes gradually changed from suspicion to surprise, and finally to expectation and hope.

Seeing Zhang Chi's resolute attitude, He Weimin's emotions gradually lost control. He roared with red eyes, "Zhang Chi! How dare you kill me? I'm also a major and a battalion commander. You killed me without authorization today, and you won't have a good ending. Aren't you afraid that the higher-ups will come after you?"

Zhang Chi looked down at He Weimin with a stern expression, and said word by word, "Today, I will stand up for these suffering villagers. Officers and soldiers of the Independent Battalion and the 96th Division, listen up. Anyone, regardless of rank, who crosses the line will be held accountable for their actions. I, Zhang Chi, will keep my word!"

Then, Zhang Chi shouted loudly to the audience: "Execute by firing squad."